NDP 2025: Excitement builds as crowds gather at Marina Bay and Padang ahead of parade

SINGAPORE - Thousands of people turned up in force with umbrellas, picnic mats and portable fans in Marina Bay and around the Padang ahead of Singapore’s 60th birthday bash on Aug 9.

Despite the sweltering heat, prime spots to catch the National Day Parade (NDP) live show and the fireworks around Marina Bay were mostly packed by 3pm, with those sporting red and white in high spirits.

This is the first time the NDP live show will extend from the Padang to Marina Bay, as part of an “expanded canvas”.

About 200,000 people are expected to throng Marina Bay, while an estimated 27,000 spectators will be at the Padang, where the main show will take place.

Delivery driver Nasser Ali, 40, arrived with his family of seven at the Marina Bay waterfront promenade at about 2.30pm to snag a front-row seat to the festivities, along with two other families.

The group of about 15 had come prepared with camping chairs, umbrellas, portable fans, a foldable table, and books and games to keep the children busy while waiting.

“This is our first time doing this, so we are quite excited to be spending time together this way with our friends and their children. I think we will have a great view of the fireworks,” said Mr Nasser.

Others had also begun gathering early to secure a vantage point for the much-anticipated fireworks.

The fireworks displays are scheduled for approximately 7.20pm, 7.35pm, 7.45pm, and finally, from around 8.15pm onwards.

Filipina domestic workers Rhowena Galanza, Melba Pagunsan and Evelyn Villanueva, who were perched under their umbrellas by the Marina Bay waterfront, said they arrived at 10am, having planned the outing for a few weeks.

The trio, who live near one another in the Clementi area, said they caught the festivities around Marina Bay over the past two weekends, when two of the last NDP previews took place, and enjoyed the fireworks and atmosphere.

Armed with food – a large rotisserie chicken, rice and snacks – they said they have been gathering every National Day for almost 20 years.

Amid the 31 deg C heat and thunder that was heard rumbling around 3.20pm, Ms Rhowena said: “Rain or shine, we’ll be here!” 

She also said her group of friends made a makeshift shelter in 2024 when it started pouring amid the festivities, so they were undeterred by the prospect of rain.

The waterfront at Marina Bay was replete with activities that began as early as 10am, from interactive booths to carnival games and food stalls.

At a food fair along Bayfront Avenue, crowds were fairly thin at about 3pm, though more people were starting to enter.

Tourist Zenura Clifford, 53, and Laurence Clifford, 63, had come from Ilo Ilo in the Philippines to celebrate Singapore’s 60th birthday.

The couple, who were in Singapore during the Republic’s 50th birthday in 2015, said they were hoping to get some snacks before finding a spot to await the fireworks.

“We love Singapore so much that we visit about four times a year, and National Day here is really special. We are excited for the show,” said Mrs Clifford, who is self-employed.

The party atmosphere was also in the air near the Padang, as hordes of people in red and white streamed in from City Hall MRT station, many with flags in hand and children in tow.

One of them was Madam Serena Chen, 34, who arrived at about 2pm, more than three hours before the parade was due to officially start at 5.45pm.

She will watch the parade with her son, nine; her daughter, six; and 68-year-old mother.

“We were so excited that we got tickets to the NDP this year, because the last time my children saw the parade was years ago. They were still babies then, so they could not remember much,” said Madam Chen, a financial adviser.

“It is especially special because it is Singapore’s 60th birthday. My daughter is also really excited about seeing the fireworks in person.”

For Madam Sukainah Shahri, 33, her children are most looking forward to the mobile column.

The NDP 2025 mobile column

will showcase 170 air, land and maritime assets from the Singapore Armed Forces, Home Team and Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

Madam Sukainah, who works in healthcare, said her husband had booked a room for the family at a hotel nearby.

“Before the fireworks, we are taking the kids to see the mobile column as it makes its way towards the Padang,” said Madam Sukainah, who has three children aged three, four and six.

“We usually catch the NDP on TV, but this year, we wanted it to be special for the kids. So we can’t wait for tonight,” she said.